Despite the usual glum surrounding the issue of education, there are educators who are adamant about making productive changes in schools such as at Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School. The Summer Cool Program is just the beginning of something revolutionary at the school with the potential to change the community as well.
Alvaretta Baxter has just completed her first year as principal of the elementary school, and her enthusiasm about the changes being made in order to create a better learning environment for her students is exemplified through her Summer Cool Program.
The goals of the program contained three aspects: 1) academically prepare students for the upcoming school year, 2) give students exposure to the major areas of the arts, and 3) provide instructors with an excellent professional development program. Judging from the students’ final showcase on Friday, the program was a huge success. The program consisted of about 250 students, from July 11 through Aug. 5, and included a gallery of paintings, drawings and sculptures. It also included a performance of various cultural dances.
“The arts provide an outlet for kids, especially kids that are dealing with social and emotional problems,” said Baxter. “Arts also train your mind to concentrate at a higher level.” Baxter expressed much interest in implementing the arts back into the curriculum at Joyner Elementary, and hopes to begin right away.
“The arts are fun, and school should be fun. They help to create an environment that people want to be in and be part of, the arts bring people together,” said Baxter, who believes there is little doubt that the arts are entertaining and a nice break from academic courses such as English and math. Baxter also assured that next year’s program would be even better, as it will include a science component as well as expansion of the program with more students and instructors involved.
The Summer Cool Program is just one of many tremendous plans Baxter has conjured to cultivate and develop a greater environment for elementary students. Her work is significant because it ensures that students are provided a solid foundation to continue to learn and become successful in the future. As principal, she has provided an example that some hope will rub off on other educators who are just as excited about making changes that are more beneficial to students, because people so often forget that children are the future.
